MAKERUA SWAMP.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 805, 30 April 1910, Page 14

MAKERUA SWAMP.

EXTENSIVE DRAINAGE WORKS. A request for an additional State loan of £3000 in connection 'with drainage: works in the Makerua Swamp was made to the Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward) yesterday, by a depute tion consisting'of Messrs. Greig' and Liggins, sawmillers, of Shannon, and Tokomara, who represented the _ local Drainage Board. . Mr. Field, M.P., mentioned that the works in question were for. the pur« pose of draining off the natural storm water, and conveying it into the Tokomaru ltiver. It was not intended, by means of the present works, to cope with the. flooding, from, the Manawatu River, which would be a much more extensive work. Some time ago the board had borrowed £6000 from the Government, bat the amount had been found to be inadequate. It was very necessary thai the drains should be completed, as it: was alleged that in their incomplete state the drains were causing private lands to be flooded-and actions for damages might arise. When this work was completed,-it would mean that the larger area"i of ; the ■'.' 'swamp: would -be-sufficiently dry for flax-grow-ing, and much of it for grazing purposes. Sir Joseph.. fin reply) expressed his sympathy witlr the project. It was, ho said, one that deserved assistance, as it had for its object the development of anv.important part, of, the country; and a;. valuable /industry;': He 'would |.be very, glad' tb.'havo the.matteri'cbn'sidered by the.;Advances^.Board.''..lt would-be necessary, however, for the DrainageVßoard'to supply;.all information as to'its' financial position, the rates it was proposed to strike to secure the loan, etc.